Monday, January 30, 2012

Dad's surgery went really well. In fact, it was done in nearly half the time we were told, and the results were really great! Due to findings once inside the surgery itself was less complicated and he should heal faster as well. So many people were praying, and God certainly heard those prayers and showed some mercy for us.
This is still a hard, long road. Myeloma is a blood cancer, and he will live with it the rest of his life. And that's just the way it is.

After surgery was terrible, I won't lie. It was awful, and the floor he was on was understaffed and slammed with new needy people, not their fault, it was just hard to deal with. I actually had to speak with the Charge Nurse and get some better care for post-op special attention. We did bless the nursing staff with donuts yesterday, bagels today, and chocolate chip cookies today. Always thank your nurses, especially if they are nice and do a really good job. One can't expect to along or like everyone else in the world of course. But when you find a good nurse, make sure they know you appreciate them.

Well, I rambled enough.
I have posts in my mind about my day away when I get to see my husband, and ideas about things I am observing and learning while sitting around. But for now, I will just say this.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Dad's in surgery.
They will use part of his rib and part of his hip along with Titanium rods and a mesh cage like structure to rebuild his Vertebrae destroyed by the cancer. It's an 8 hours procedure. Although there is recovery from surgery itself, he should start feeling better rather quickly considering they are giving him back the support he needs to use his back again.

Healing followed by radiation and chemo.

At some point my great nephew will be born too (very soon) and my sister will take off from here and go to be with her daughter. I am staying to fill in the gap of care provider that she will leave. By the end of the month I will also be present for my friend's birthing of her next child. This is very exciting.

I am thankful for my sister's amazing laptop.
The portability of Isagenix, (that's right, I am still on program, even through stressful stuff).
Thankful for skype, email, texting, internet help sites and other means of keeping connected.
Good narcotics. (For my dad)
The miracles that God has done, and will continue to do.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Regarding my father, biopsy was taken Monday. We were told flat out that it could take 72 hours for results....this , of course, seems ridiculous. Three days is a long time to wait to know something. But that's just the way it is.

In the meantime we will wait.
We play cards, we watch movies, we watch as they try and get my dad's pain meds right.

There is nothing else for us to do really.
They have set a surgery time for Saturday, IF he doesn't need radiation first.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

1. Tech savvy parents...sitting in the hospital room playing and emailing etc. on their iphones.
2. Clear communication, it really makes a difference.
3. People willing to step up and help out when they can.
4. Prayer.
5. Curry
6. Smart nurses. :)
7. Morphine for my dad.
8. Moments of Joy
9. HOPE, always
10. Not crashing into bad eating habits or a pile of bad for me comfort food just because something is hard. Thank you God. Thank you Isagenix.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

My dad has a malignant tumor on his back.
We are waiting for the Oncology department to talk to the Orthopedic department etc with all the results from MRI's and CT scans...and at some point a biopsy.This is no quick fix kinda thing. In the mean time he is in the hospital, flat on his back, because anything else is too painful. They are working on making him more comfortable.

Surgery may be at the same time that my neice is having a baby in another state, so my sister will indeed leave to be by her side. This could mean all sorts of things for me. Not bad, just tricky to figure out.

All prayers are appreciated.
I am thankful for strength, good friends, supportive people surrounding us, and God's love.

Friday, January 20, 2012

My son loves waffles for breakfast. Anytime I am going to the store he asks for frozen waffles. Although we are choosy about which ones we buy (No HFCS, etc) they still aren't a pinnacle of health by any means. I didn't want to completely cut waffles out of his life, so I am trying to come up with new recipes for healthier ones made and home and frozen for him to use in the mornings.
These are the results of the first two tries.
Recipe 1:

I preferred the texture of this recipe over the first one, although they are very close. These were just a bit crispier on the outside.

There are more carbs in this recipe, but less fat, and more protein.

For my son, the first recipe will probably get him through the day longer. It is better balanced. These recipes will not make your blood sugar level spike to the ceiling and then drop to the floor leaving you tired and hungry. These should burn longer, and more evenly making them a superior waffle.

I will be toying around with these recipes again. But for now my son has a stash in the freezer waiting for him.

For more recipes and lonking fun check out Tiffany's place: My Crowded Kitchen

* Oil choice is important to improve the health level of any recipe. Most super market oils are heat processed, killing off the good things about it. They then turn rancid and chemicals are added to get rid of the rancid smell. Canola oil's origin is a little scary. We found a place that has high quality, properly pressed olive and safflower oils. There really is a difference. Check out Sepay.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

My husband Aaron and I love puns, plays on words and other word fun. We took note awhile back of how strange certain phrases are, like "She is terribly beautiful". We every now and then come up with more, because we are silly and like to have fun.
"You are horribly handsome"
"I find you tragically pretty"

Stuff like that.

Then we hit the motherload of these phrases:

"You are repulsively attractive".

We think it's ridiculous. The English language is amazing. I hope you have fun playing with words.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Worf has found a new place to rest his head. He will keep his office here on our property, it helps him immensely to be in the office next to my husband, and his presence helps my husband take his music to the next level. It really is a beautiful thing.

Worf opened our eyes in our home to a few things. Having someone around watching you,even if it's unintentional, makes you look at how you are treating others. I stepped up my behavoir towards my husband. If I am willing to cater to a new person living in the home, why on earth wouldn't I do it for my own husband that I passionately love? We fall into bad routines, and bad patterns of selfishness, that's why.

Worf's presence in our lives has brought appreciation for what we already have.

I am excited for his new place, and the changes there in. It will be nice to roam the house in my PJ's again without fear of being seen, LOL.

His presence in the studio area is incredibly appreciated. I am hearing new sounds, new depth, new life in my husband's music. It's amazing. Worf helps him strive to the next level. He speaks musician, so he challenges Aaron and they together have fun and figure out just how far they can push things. It's totally cool and I can't wait until this next album is released. It's fun!

Thank you Worf for moving in with us and stirring the pot, it really needed it before the bottom got burnt.

Friday, January 13, 2012

For Christmas I was given this wonderful calendar from one of my nieces. I absolutely love it.

She gave one to each of my daughters as well, all different color schemes to match our personalities and likes.
The days of the week and things like "To Do" are written under the plexiglass, but the rest is up to you to fill in each month with a dry erase pen. It works beautifully, and is so lovely as well.
This is a project you could do for your own house!

She used a 21" x 21" frame. I suppose you could really use a rectangle if you prefer, but it is spaced really well in the square.

For the calendar itself you will need poster board, or perhaps foam core if your frame is deep. Cut to fit exactly into the frame.

Art paper, craft paper, or other beautiful or spunky paper. for the "To Do" list and "Notes" areas as well as the top area for the month.

Embellishments. My Niece used paper flowers with little gems.

Here's the best part...to make the calendar day squares...PAINT SAMPLE CARDS. How fantastic is that? You can have a thematic color scheme easily. Or perhaps you'd like to go rainbow style.

Paper glue. Your choice of what's easy to use. If using white glue make sure to use it sparingly so it doesn't warp the paper.

Dry erase pen with velcro to adhere it to the edge of the frame.

I do not have specific instruction as to how to assemble, it's really up to you, Look at the photos for ideas and have fun.

My advise would be to be very careful to line everything up. Make sure you measure it, anything slanting or off does show. Also, be creative, have fun. Keep the squares simple, and not too dark so that you can write what you need to and have it easy to spot. Also, using paint samples all from one company might be wise. You need to check carefully that they are all the same size squares. They do vary company to company, sometimes even within the same company with different paint styles.

Want to see more fun ideas and yummy recipes?
Check out the link up party at my friend's place, My Crowded Kitchen

Thursday, January 12, 2012

God transformed my life.
He cleaned out the yucky stuff in my heart and soul. He continually helps me clean out the yucky stuff in my mind. My life could not be what it is without Him.
I am so very thankful for His unconditional love, His direction, His mercy and grace.
I can't imagine not having these things.

Isagenix is transforming my body. Well I guess I am transforming my body, with God's help and Isagenix ...
Isagenix is cleaning out my cells and body of toxins.
Isagenix helps me nourish what God has given me to take care of.
It is helping repair the damage I have done to myself.

I am thankful.

I am available to talk about transforming your life by having God as your personal savoir, cleansing your soul ...
and I am available to talk to you about what Isagenix can do for your earthly body, cleansing out the toxins.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Twenty-two years ago my life completely changed. I know I was never the same. Several other people were never the same either, I just hope it was mostly for the good...
It's been quite the adventure helping you grow up. It's exciting to see what adulthood holds for you. I am very proud of your choices and new things you are aiming for. You are both smart, strong women.
Happy Birthday Alyssa and Jenelle.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Today I am privileged to celebrate the life of a friend. She has the same birthday as my girls, and a new fabulous honey in her life, so we are taking the opportunity to celebrate a day early.
She is a loving, generous person with a big heart and a wild hair for adventure.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Life is in full swing again around here. SPencer is in basketball again, his school has started. Work for Aaron and I is more or less back to normal, which is actually a slightly slower pace than in December. I don't mind that at all.

Oh, and I started slogging.
Slogging = slow jogging. Thank you CS for that great word, it describes what I do perfectly.

Since I am attempting a 1/2 marathon in May I am on a training schedule. I have slogged over 2 miles several days this week. And let me tell you, that is a miracle in itself. This woman DOES NOT RUN....at least I didn't used too. The pain in my shins associated with it was pure anguish, for days.

I do not have that pain.
I am energized all day from working out.
I feel terrific.
I do have moments of sore this or that, but nothing a little massage and lots of water and stretching can't cover.

I am so excited. I NEVER EVER THOUGHT MY BODY WOULD COOPERATE ENOUGH TO DO ANYTHING REMOTELY LIKE THIS!